Update (2/16/02) A couple of people have noticed that Abe Laboriel Jr., the drummer from Paul's "Driving Rain" album, is on the soundtrack. (Thanks to Update (2/9/02) VH1 has an "I Am Sam" special at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Update (2/1/02) Electric Artists tells us the soundtrack is the #2 soundtrack behind "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Update (1/25/02) You can see Rufus Wainwright's video for "Across the Universe" either in low band and in high band.

Update (1/24/02) You can hear Eddie Vedder's contribution to the soundtrack here. (Thanks to Richard Sinclair.)

Update (1/9/02) "I Am Sam" was released Tuesday. A link to the "I Am Sam" soundtrack site is in the top banner on this page.

Update (1/5/02) We've had the opportunity to preview the "I Am Sam" soundtrack and recommend to those who, like us, enjoy Beatle covers.

Update (12/29/01)

Update (12/22/01) A pan of the film by Variety.

Update (12/20/01) Gossip columnist Liz Smith in the New York Post reported that Paul and Heather attended a private screening of the movie. Paul's reaction: "You gave my fiancée a sinus infection from crying so much. Warn the audiences to bring tissues."

Update (12/11/01)

Update (11/18/01) Roger Friedman at Fox News suggests that the reason "I Am Sam" didn't get the Beatle songs the filmmakers wanted wasn't because they couldn't contact George Harrison, as the L.A. Times article said, but that George Harrison still has bad memories of Penn and his ex-wife Madonna in "Shanghai Surprise." (You'll recall that George had to hold an extraordinary (for him, anyway) press conference at the time because of bad feelings between the couple and the press.) Curious theory, but we think George has more important stuff on his mind nowadays.

Update (11/14/01) The press release for "I Am Sam":

V2 Records to Release Soundtrack to Upcoming Sean Penn/Michelle Pfeiffer Film 'I Am Sam' On January 8, 2001

Soundtrack Features Acclaimed Contemporary Artists - Including Sarah McLachlan, Ben Harper, Eddie Vedder, The Black Crowes and Aimee Mann and Michael Penn - Performing Cover Versions of Classic Beatles Songs NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- V2 Records announced today a January 8th release date for the soundtrack to the upcoming New Line Cinema film, ``I Am Sam,'' starring Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer.

``I Am Sam'' tells the compelling story of Sam Dawson (Penn), a mentally-challenged father who enlists the aid of attorney Rita Harrison (Pfeiffer) to help regain custody of his seven year-old daughter after she is taken away from him and placed in foster care. Directed and co-written by Jessie Nelson, ``I Am Sam'' is produced by Nelson and Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz and Richard Solomon of the Bedford Falls Company. The film will be released in New York and Los Angeles on December 28th and wide on January 11th, 2002.

Throughout the film, Penn's character Sam is constantly referencing the musicians and the music of the Beatles to guide him in his experiences. With this in mind, the entire sountrack is comprised of top artists performing personal renditions of classic Beatles songs. V2 Records accepted the challenge of creating a soundtrack that captures the heart of the movie and assembled a roster of artists that includes Aimee Mann and Michael Penn collaborating on ``Two of Us,'' Ben Harper performing ``Strawberry Fields Forever,'' and Sarah McLachlan performing a stirring rendition of ``Blackbird.'' Additional artists on the soundtrack include The Black Crowes, The Wallflowers, Ben Folds, Rufus Wainright and Sheryl Crow, among others.

Produced by Kate Hyman and Jon Sidel from V2 Records and the film's director/co-writer Jessie Nelson, the soundtrack to ``I Am Sam'' serves as the ideal complement to the emotionally moving experience of the movie. The task of selecting the line-up of performers was not easy as every artist who watched the movie and heard about the plans for the soundtrack wanted to take part. After many submissions and many decisions, Kate, Jon and Jessie came up with what V2 Records and New Line Cinema believe to be the perfect mix of artists and music.

``I hope that when one listens to the soundtrack they will draw from it the artists' inspirations from the movie and their affection for the music. That what makes this collection of songs special is the way each artist was able to take a Beatles classic and make it their own,'' stated V2 President Andy Gershon.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the I Am Sam soundtrack will be donated to LA Goal, a non-profit organization founded in 1969 that serves adults with developmental disabilities. Money is raised via donations and from the sale of artwork that is created by members of LA Goal. For more information on LA Goal, please contact: Petite Konstantine at (310) 838-5274

     Track listing -
     1   - The Wallflowers - "I'm Looking Through You"
     2.  Aimee Man and Michael Penn - "Two Of Us"
     3.  Sarah Mclachlan - "Blackbird"
     4.  Rufus Wainwright - "Across The Universe"
     5.  Ben Harper - "Strawberry Fields Forever"
     6.  Eddie Vedder - "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away"
     7.  Ben Folds - "Golden Slumbers"
     8.  Stereophonics - "Don't Let Me Down"
     9.  The Vines - "I'm Only Sleeping"
     10. Howie Day - "Help!"
     11. The Black Crowes - "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"
     12. Grandaddy - "Revolution"
     13. Chocolate Genius - "Julia"
     14. Paul Westerberg - "Nowhere Man"
     15. Heather Nova - "We Can Work It Out"
     16. Nick Cave - "Let It Be"

SOURCE: V2 Records